Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus – Serie A Refereeing Director Apologises For Error In Red Card For French Defender | OneFootball

Gianluca Rocchi, Serie A’s refereeing director, has publicly addressed the controversy over the red card shown by La Penna to Pierre Kalulu in Inter Milan’s 3-2 win over Juventus.

In the first half, Kalulu was sent off after a second yellow for a supposed foul on Inter star Alessandro Bastoni.

However, replays showed minimal contact.

Therefore, there has been a lot of controversy over whether the card should have been given.

Inter 3-2 Juventus – Serie A Ref Chief Rocchi: ‘Kalulu Red Was Wrong, La Penna Is Mortified’

He spoke to ANSA the day after the derby, with quotes via FCInter1908.

Rocchi acknowledged that the decision by referee La Penna was “clearly wrong” and regretted that VAR could not intervene to correct it.

He also commented on Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni’s role in the incident.

“La Penna is mortified and we are supporting him. But I have to be honest, he was not the only one to make a mistake. Yesterday there was a clear simulation. The latest in a long series in a championship where players try in every way to deceive us.”

Rocchi’s admission reinforces the view that the red card for Kalulu, which had major consequences in the match, was unjustified.

Meanwhile also highlighting the challenges referees face when players exaggerate contact to influence decisions.